baccalaureate
baccalaureate Lexical Profile
baccalaureate Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An academic degree of bachelor conferred by a college or university upon completion of an undergraduate program.
"The university offers a four-year baccalaureate in nursing as well as several graduate programs."
An examination or secondary school qualification intended to qualify successful candidates for higher education, such as the French baccalauréat or the International Baccalaureate.
"She spent her final two years of high school preparing for the rigorous International Baccalaureate examinations."
North American A religious service or farewell address delivered to a graduating class at a school, college, or university.
"Families gathered in the campus chapel on Sunday morning for the annual baccalaureate prior to commencement."
Word Nuance & Usage
In North American usage, 'baccalaureate' typically refers to a university bachelor's degree or a farewell religious service for graduates, whereas in France and the International Baccalaureate system, it denotes a comprehensive secondary school qualification required for university admission.
• Rhymes for baccalaureate
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the 17th century from French 'baccalauréat' and Medieval Latin 'baccalaureatus', formed as a playful academic blend of 'baccalarius' (bachelor) and 'laureatus' (crowned with laurel berries, from 'bacca lauri').